"What happens to us when we become infatuated with and then seduced by them [new technologies]? Do they free us or imprison us? Do they improve or degrade democracy? Do they make our leaders more accountable or less so? Our system more transparent or less so? Do they make us better citizens or better consumers? Are the trade-offs worth it? If they’re not worth it, yet we still can’t stop ourselves from embracing the next new thing because that’s just how we’re wired, then what strategies can we devise to maintain control? Dignity? Meaning?" ~Andrew Postman , 2005 (son of Dr. Neil Postman)
For our first Salon we will be meeting face to face to discuss Neil Postman's ground-breaking article, The Judgement of Thamus. Written seventeen years ago, Postman's timeless, needling ideas are as thought-provoking as they were then. Come prepared to dig beneath the surface of emerging technologies and grapple with both Neil and Andrew Postman's questions (see above).
How interesting that it is the internet and 1:1 access to 21st century technology that is making it possible for Mr. Postman's cautionary comments regarding technology and learning to be heard and considered! Come to think of it, it was 20th century technology that facilitated the original documentation and archiving of his original presentation back in the 1990s. Hindsight is 20/20 AND it does provide important perspective to those who would look to the future. Hindsight should not be confused with knowledge of what lies ahead of us. Eyes wide open is a good way to proceed...and proceed we should...I think the hero has no choice in the end...
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Comments (1)
Chris Toy said
at 7:03 am on Sep 28, 2009
How interesting that it is the internet and 1:1 access to 21st century technology that is making it possible for Mr. Postman's cautionary comments regarding technology and learning to be heard and considered! Come to think of it, it was 20th century technology that facilitated the original documentation and archiving of his original presentation back in the 1990s. Hindsight is 20/20 AND it does provide important perspective to those who would look to the future. Hindsight should not be confused with knowledge of what lies ahead of us. Eyes wide open is a good way to proceed...and proceed we should...I think the hero has no choice in the end...
You don't have permission to comment on this page.